The Big Give is back

Press release issued:
16 April 2014

The annual ‘Bristol Big Give’ returns next month after a record breaking year in 2013. Big Give is a city-wide collection and recycling scheme which encourages everyone to donate their unwanted items to charity.

The project is targeted at students who will be starting to think about moving out of their halls of residence or privately rented accommodation next month.

Last year a record breaking nine tonnes of goods were donated at designated collection points, including clothes, shoes, food, kitchenware and bedding. The overall value was estimated at £16,000 which benefited 12 different charities, including St Peter’s Hospice, The Salvation Army, RSPCA and British Heart Foundation.

Collections have already begun within halls of residences at both universities. British Heart Foundation donation points will be installed in residential areas including Redland, Clifton and Cotham from Thursday 1 May.

Julie Paffett, Regional Stock Generator at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We’re grateful to the Bristol Big Give campaign once again for encouraging people to have a clear out for charity. This scheme will be a huge help to BHF shops in Bristol and I’d hope as many students as possible get involved and support the scheme.

“Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer - you can join the fight for every heartbeat by having a clear out and using the BHF donation bins around the city to donate your unwanted items.”

The event will culminate in July when an army of conscientious volunteers will collect, sort and distribute the multitude of items left at donation points.

Alicia Midgley, a third year Physics student at the University of Bristol said:

“This is a really great idea as it reduces waste, raises money for charity and encourages us all to think sustainably. It’s a fantastic way to contribute to keeping Bristol green, as you’re donating things you don’t need rather than wasting them.”

This year’s plans aim to expand the scheme and provide access to more donation points in the hope of doubling last year’s efforts.

The project, organised by the Bristol Community Partnership, is a collaboration between Bristol City Council, University of Bristol, University of Bristol Students’ Union (UBU), University of the West of England and UWE Students’ Union (UWESU). It helps to build relationships between the student body and the local community, as well as improve sustainability across the city.